Method and means for applying liquid to a moving web

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for applying a controlled quantity of liquid to a moving web of liquid receptive material comprising a smoothly finished hydrophilic transfer roller in rotative pressure engagement with the web. Pressure between a smooth surfaced metering roller and the transfer roller is adjustable to accurately control the thickness of a film of fluid having low viscosity which is delivered by the transfer roller to the web. The relative surface speeds of the transfer roller and the web are adjustable to control the rate at which the metered film is delivered to the web and to control the hydraulic pressure exerted to the film to urge it into the web. A backup roller is employed to further control the hydraulic pressure of fluid transferred to the web. The metering roller and the transfer roller are skewed to regulate the moisture profile across the width of the web.

United States Patent Dahlgren Mar. 7, 197 2 [54] METHOD AND MEANS FORAPPLYING 2,933,417 4/1960 LIQUID TO A MOVING WEB 1,847,065 2/19322,199,228 4 1940 [72] Inventor: Harold P. Dahlgren, Dallas, Tex.2,257,261 9/1941 73 A si e: D hl ren Manufacturi Com an Inc. 2'3290349/1943 l 8 gm z Tex. p 2,676,563 4/1954 Montgomery et a1... ..118/262 x2,830,555 4/1958 Barrett ..118/262 X [22] Filed: Apr. 26, 1967 3,168,0372/1965 Dahlgren ..101/148 1 1 PPL NW 633,799 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATlONS Related US. Application Data 77,709 1 l/ 1950 Norway ..117/ 1 1 l [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 600,650, Dec. 9, OTHERPUBLICATIONS 1966, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 414,574, Nov. 0abandoned and a continuation in part BOOtl'l, Modern PlaSlIlCS, 36, NO.1, Sept. 91- of 26,035, May 2, 1960, Pat. No. 3,168,037, and acontinuation-in-part of 844,372, Oct. 5, 1959, aban- PnmaryExaminer-Ralph Kendall doned Att0mey--Howard E. Moore 52 us. 01..117/111, 68/202, 101/148, [57] ABSTRACT 1 18/246, 1 18/262 A methodand apparatus for applying a controlled quantity of [51] Int. Cl ..B4ll43/02 liquid to a moving web of liquid receptive material comprising[58] Field of Search ..1 17/1 1 1, 1 1 1 F; 1 18/262, 246; a smoothlyfinished hydrophilic transfer roller in rotative pres- 68/202; 101/148,149.2, 350; 100/158 sure engagement with the web. Pressure between asmooth surfaced metering roller and the transfer roller is adjustable to[56] References Cited accurately control the thickness of a film offluid having low viscosity which is delivered by the transfer roller tothe web. UNITED STATES PATENTS The relative surface speeds of thetransfer roller and the web are adjustable to control the rate at whichthe metered film is delivered to the web and to control the hydraulicpressure ex- 3240l48 3/1966 100 158 R erted to the film to urge it intothe web. A backup roller is em- 6 l 40 f ployed to further control thehydraulic pressure of fluid trans- 2,203, 9 l'lSt ferred to the web Themetering roller and the transfer roller 2,430,965 1 1/ 1947 Taylor101/350 are skewed to regulate the moisture profile across the width of2,750,881 6/1956 the web 3,094,065 6/ 1963 2,91 1,320 1 1/ 1959 46Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDMAR 7:912 3,647,525

SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR Harold P. Dahlgren 1 OH 55 BY ATTORixEYPATENTEDMAR 7 I972 3, 647, 525

INVENTOR Harold P. Dahlgren ATTORNEY PATENTEUMAR 7 I972 3, 647, 5 2 5SHEET 3 [IF 3 INVENTOR Harold P Dahlgren METHOD AND MEANS FOR APPLYINGLIQUID TO A MOVING WEB CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser.No. 600,650 filed Dec. 9, 1966, entitled DAMPENING TRANSFER AND MATERIALCONDITION- ING ROLLER, AND METHOD OF PREPARING SAME, which is acontinuation and copending with application Ser. No. 414,574, filed Nov.30, 1964, now abandoned which was a continuation-in-part and copendingwith my application Ser. No. 26,035, filed May 2, 1960, now U.S. Pat.No. 3,168,037, which was a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplication for US. Pat. Ser, No. 844,372, filed Oct. 5, 1959, entitledDAMPENING OF LlTl-IOGRAPHIC OFFSET PRINTING PLATES, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Attempts have been made in the past to addliquids such as dyes, low-viscosity coatings and moisture to a movingweb in such a manner as to control the liquid application along thelength and width of the web.

Such attempts have consisted of application of atomized particles in theform of mist, steam or spray to the web which results in only partialcoverage of the web by the atomized particles or uneven applicationthereof and lack of adequate control of the amount and density thereof,

Another system used in the past is by means of rollers wherein anuncontrollable quantity of liquid is applied to the web.

Various other devices have been used such as scrapers, knives, blades,etc., as the sole means for controlling the thickness of liquid appliedto the web from a roller, without other control means used inconjunction therewith, as disclosed herein. Such devices are undesirablebecause it is difficult to adjust flexible blades lengthwise and becausethe slightest adjustment of the blade may change the film thickness morethan is desirable.

Environmental chambers, wherein a moving web is passed through a humidatmosphere within a chamber, have been unsatisfactory because onlysurface quantities are added to the web due to the limited time ofexposure of the web to the humid atmosphere as it passes through thechamber. Thereby the web does not absorb sufficient quantity of theliquid. Furthermore, one side application is virtually impossible inthis case.

Attempts to control moisture by varying web speed through drying devicesor by varying the drying temperatures is not only difficult to controlbut undesirable and costly,

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In use of the method and apparatus hereindescribed, the liquid applied to the web is supplied from a reservoir orother liquid supply source to the nip between a smooth, resilientsurfaced metering roller and a smoothly finished, hard surfacedhydrophilic transfer roller. An abundant supply of liquid is supplied atthe nip between the rollers which is metered by pressure contact betweenthe resilient surfaced metering roller and the hard surfaced transferroller to an exactly controlled film which adheres to the surface of thehard transfer roller, which rotates into contact with the web to applythe liquid thereto.

As disclosed herein liquid application to the web can be carried outeither by transferring the controlled film directly from the variablespeed transfer roller on the web, or in accordance with an alternateform, it may be transferred to an intermediate web applicator rollerrotating at web speed, which in turn applies a regulated film ofliquidto the web.

Also as disclosed herein the variable speed transfer roller may be theresilient surfaced roller and the metering roller would be hardsurfaced. The surface of the transfer roller is dependent upon surfacecharacteristics of the web or web applicator roller.

For instance, if the web is metal or of other impervious material to becoated the roller in contact with the web should be resilient. However,in all applications it is desirable that the rollers should bealternately resilient and hard surfaced.

The term transfer roller" as used herein means the roller whichtransfers a metered film of liquid to the web or intermediate applicatorroller, regardless of its surface characteristic, and the term meteringroller means the roller which rotates in pressure contact with thetransfer roller to meter a film ofliquid thereon.

Means is provided for adjusting the pressure at the roller ends betweenthe resilient metering roller and the hard-surfaced hydrophilic transferroller to thereby vary the film thickness.

Additional means is provided for adjusting and varying the contactpressure between the ends of the rollers as related to the centralportions thereof, which is commonly referred to herein as skew orskewing." Such skewing is accomplished by radially moving an end of oneof the rollers arcuately about the longitudinal axis of the other rollerto thereby adjust and control contact pressure longitudinally of thecontacting surfaces of the rollers. By such means roller core deflectionmay be compensated for and uniform, or-nonuniform liquid film thickness,as desired, is provided for throughout the length of' the system.

The controlled lengthwise liquid film is applied directly to the web orthrough a web applicator roller at a controlled uniform and desired rateby controlling and varying the surface speed of the transfer roller withrelation to the adjacent surface speed of the web or additionalapplicator roller employed. To accomplish this purpose the transferroller on which the metered and regulated liquid film is carried isdriven by a positive drive means so that its surface speed can be variedas desired, either manually or automatically, to transfer a uniformcontinuous desired quantity of liquid onto the web or web applicatorroller as the case may be.

The surface speed of the transfer roller may be less than, equal to, orgreater than the surface speed ofthe adjacent web or web applicatorroller, depending upon the liquid quantity desired for the web.

The metering roller may also be driven by a variable speed positivecontrol. The surface pressure between the metering and transfer rollerand the speeds of rotation thereof may be adjusted to supply the desiredmetered film of liquid to produce a continuous metered liquid film onthe transfer roller surface.

In cases where the liquid must immediately penetrate the web or wherehigher quantities of liquid are to be added, or where the web must bepressed firmly against the transfer or applicator roller for any reason,a backup roller driven at web speed may be applied to the opposite sideof the web from the 7 transfer or applicator roller to press the webthereagainst at such point, to thereby cause the liquid to penetrate oradhere to the surface of the web. Uniform pressure between the web andthe transfer or applicator roller can also be accomplished by one ormore adjacent idler rollers rolling in contact with the web on theopposite side of the web from the transfer or applicator roller. Uniformpressure may also be applied by other means such as wrapping the webabout the transfer or applicator roller. Additional web wrap on thetransfer roller or applicator roller can also serve to increase dwelltime of web to roller surface thereby adding to capability of thesystem. Uniform pressure may also be accomplished by placing anapplicating device with a transfer or applicator roller on the oppositeside of the transfer roller or applicator roller of another liquidapplying system, thereby applying liquid to each side of the web by aseparate liquid applicating system.

The most popular use of the method and apparatus disclosed herein is foradding and controlling moisture applied to paper and paperboard, both onoriginal paper making equipment and on paper converting equipment. Thecompact design enables the equipment in many cases to be installed inthe normal web stream as the paper comes through the paper making orconverting machine. In the manufacture and nAnn processing of the paperweb, the paper is usually depleted of moisture to an extent that acontrolled amount of moisture can be added thereto. Reasons for desiringcontrolled liquids is described below.

On a paper or paperboard web material, moisture or a mixture of liquidsmay be added to the paper web in controlled quantities to conditionsame, to control the curl, cockle (tendency to buckle), weight, sizing,absorbency capacity, moldability, gloss, surface finish, tensilestrength, electric and thermal conductivity, ability to receive ink,cohesion, adhesion, pH, stress relief (tension), web speed control,dimensional stability and others.

Although the method and device is particularly usable in adding moistureto paper or paperboard, it will be understood that it can be used tocontrol and apportion the addition of dyes, coating material, liquidplastics, glue, starch, waxes and other low-viscosity liquids desired tobe applied to the surface of a web whether pervious or impervious.

The equipment employed is very flexible in that it may be simple orcomplex depending upon the particular user's requirements. For instance,in one of the simplest and most economical forms it may include thebasic elements of positive control of speed of rotation of the transferroller with relation to the speed of movement of the web or withrelation to the speed of rotation of the intermediate applicator roller,control of linear thickness of the moisture film metered between thetransfer roller and the metering roller by adjustments at the meteringroller ends coupled with skewing; or the system may incorporateautomatic and remotely controlled features which may include means toautomatically engage and disengage liquid application to the web;automatic increase and decrease following circuitry to maintain desiredliquid application to compensate for changes of moisture or changes inweb speed; automatic shutdown resulting from lack of sufficient liquidsupplied to the system, motor overload or web break; electropneumaticroll engagement and/or disengagement; remote speed control andindication; servo actuated metering roll adjustment; automatic liquidlevel control in the reservoir and many other types of controls andadjustments.

Surface speed of the transfer roller may be less than, equal to, orgreater than the surface speed of the adjacent web or web applicatorroller, according to liquid quantity demand. Rotation of the transferroller may be in the same or opposite direction to that of the adjacentweb or applicator roller.

In the system hereinafter described, both the transfer and meteringrollers are driven by positive means. The metering roller rotates incontact with the variable speed transfer roller and is the roller whichis adjusted to control the desired metered film ofliquid. The meteringroller need only be driven at a speed sufficient to produce a continuousmetered liquid film on the transfer roller surface which is transferredto the web in the desired quantity, depending upon the adjusted speed ofrotation of the transfer roller.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon reading the detailed specification hereinafter followingand by referring to the drawings annexed hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING Suitable embodiments of the invention are shownin the attached drawings wherein,

FIG. 1 is a semidiagrammatic end view of the simplest form of thedevice, wherein'the special transfer roller is rotated in contact with aweb of paper or other material to which liquid is being applied andshowing the means for rotating the transfer roller at a variable speed;

FIG. 2 is a semidiagrammatic end view of a form of the device wherein aresilient surfaced metering roller is interposed between the transferroller and the liquid to transfer liquid to the transfer roller in ametered film, and showing means to adjust and control the speed ofrotation of both the transfer roller and;.the metering roller;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the metering roller and transferroller of FIG. 2, showing the difference in length between the meteringroller and transfer roller, their relationship to the web, and the meansfor skewing the metering roller with relation to the transfer roller;

FIG. 4 is an end view of another modified form of liquid applying devicewherein a backup roller is added for rotation in contact with the web onthe opposite side thereof from the transfer roller;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the form shown in FIG. 4

showing the variation in length between the respective rollers, theirrelationship to the web, and the means for skewing the metering rollerwith reference to the transfer roller;

FIG. 6 is an end view of still another form of liquid applicator deviceshowing the employment of spaced web guide rollers with means to shiftthe applicator roller out of engagement with the web;

FIG. 7 is an end view of still another modified form of the devicewherein an applicator roller is interposed between the variable speedtransfer roller and web with means to separate the transfer roller fromthe applicator roller;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the transfer rollerand metering roller in adjusted contact, illustrating the relativelinear pressure between the contacting surfaces of the rollers afterthey have been skewed and pressure adjusted with relationship to eachother, and

FIG. 9 is an end view of the transfer roller and metering roller as itwould appear before and after skewing the metering roller withrelationship to the transfer roller,

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the roller and web assembly ofFIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Numeral references are employed toindicate the various parts as shown in the drawings and like numeralsindicate like parts throughout the various figures ofthe drawings.

Referring first to the form shown in FIG. 1, the numeral 1 indicates aliquid container with a quantity of liquid 2 therein. The liquid may bemoistening fluid such as water with other ingredients added thereto,such as material to lower the surface tension of the water, or it may beother types of liquid such as plastic or other type of coating materialto be added to the web 11.

A specially prepared transfer roller 3 is of a type which has a hard,smooth surface thereon having minimum surface indentations, scratches orblemishes thereon and is preferably treated to render same hydrophilic,that is, liquid receptive and grease rejecting.

The transfer roller 3 may be of the type described in my previous USPat. No. 3,168,037, which includes a metal roller, such as steel, whichis plated with a hard surfacing material such as chrome or nickel and ispolished by buffing or otherwise to provide a smooth uninterruptedsurface thereon free of surface blemishes, insofar as possible.

It will be understood that the surface of the transfer roller 3 may bemade of other materials which may be applied thereto with a smoothuninterrupted surface thereon and which may be provided with hydrophilicproperties, either when applied thereto or which may be treated torender same hydrophilic.

A chrome or nickel plated surface may be treated in the manner describedin my previous patent aforementioned by bathing same with a passivatingagent such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid mixed with water and gumarabic in equal proportions for sufficient length of time to remove alloxide from the surface thereof and apply an oxide preventing coating ofgum arabic thereto.

The transfer roller 3 is rotated with the lower side thereof submergedin the liquid 2 so that liquid is picked up on the surface thereof as itrotates therethrough.

The transfer roller 3 is rotated by an electric motor 6 which drives thebelt 4 which is extended about a sheave 5 attached to the shaft 23 onwhich the transfer roller 3 is mounted and the sheave 7 secured to theshaft 6a rotated by the motor 6.

Power supply lines 8 supply power for driving the motor 6 through avariable rheostat 9 so that the motor 6 may be run at variable speeds tothereby rotate the transfer roller 3 at variable speeds.

A doctor blade 10 which may be varied in pressure relationship againstthe surface of the transfer roller 3 is arranged to bear against thesurface of the transfer roller 3 as it rotates out of the fluid 2 tothereby wipe off excess liquid clinging to the surface of the roller andto smooth out the film of liquid adhering to the surface of the rollerbefore the film is rotated into contact with the moving web 11.

The surface of the transfer roller 3 rotates in contact with the movingweb 11 to apply liquid thereto. The moving web 11 may be a web of paperto which moisture is to be added, or it may be a sheet of fabric orsolid material such as plastic or metal to which a coating liquid suchas plastic, starch, glue or other material is to be added. Speed ofrotation of the transfer roller 3 with relation to speed of movement ofthe web 11 may be varied by varying the speed of the motor 6 through therheostat 9, thereby varying the rate of application of the film ofliquid to the moving web 11. The rate of application of liquid to theweb may be minutely adjusted by varying the speed of rotation of thetransfer roller 3 with relation to the speed of movement of the web 11.Normally the speed of movement of the web 11 is constant and thereforethe speed of rotation of the transfer roller 3 may be adjusted withrelation to the constant speed of movement of the web 11 to therebyregulate the application of moisture or other liquid material to the web11 to the exact amount desired.

By virtue of the fact that the film of liquid is made constantly presentbetween the surface of the transfer roller 3 and the web 11 the unusedfilm of liquid provides a lubricating fluid which reduces frictionbetween the surface of the transfer roller 3 and the web 11 to such anextent as to permit the transfer roller 3 to be rotated at a differentsurface speed than the movement of the web 11 to thereby permit slippingcontact between said surfaces without frictional damage.

All unused liquid not accepted by the web 11 returns to the liquidreservoir without affecting the liquid being transferred to the web.

As will be seen from the arrows indicating direction of movement of thetransfer roller 3, the transfer roller 3 may be rotated in eitherdirection with relation to the movement of the web 11 and accomplish thesame purpose. However, in the event transfer roller 3 is rotated in thedirection of the broken arrow shown thereon the doctor blade 10 will ofcourse be placed on the opposite side of the transfer roller 3.

In the modification shown in FIG. 2 the transfer roller 3 is the sametype hereinbefore described but runs in pressure contact with aresilient surfaced metering roller 12.

The metering roller 12 is covered with resilient rubber or plasticmaterial and is arranged to be adjusted in indenting relationship withthe transfer roller 3. The roller 12 has a smooth, uninterrupted surfacethereon.

The roller 12 is rotated by electric motor 17 which is supplied by powerthrough the power leads 18, and the speed of motor 17 may be regulatedby a rheostat 18a. The roller 12 is driven by the motor 17 through abelt 19 which extends about the pulley 20 attached to the shaft of themotor andpulley 21 secured to the axle 13 of the roller 12.

The pressure relationship between the surfaces of the transfer roller 3and metering roller 12 may be adjusted by a screw 15 which threadedlyextends through the end of bracket 14. Bracket 14 is secured to a fixedmember such as the frame of the machine as indicated at 54 in FIG. 8.The inner end of the screw 15 contacts a block 1311 in whichself-aligning bearings 5a and 5b are mounted. Bearings 5a and 5brotatably support axle 13 of roller 12 and said block 13a is slidablydisposed in a slot 14a provided in the bracket 14. A spring 16 isinterposed between the block 13a and the end of the bracket 14 so thatas the screw 15 is threaded inwardly the roller 12 is moved toward thetransfer roller 3 to increase the pressure between the surface of theroller 12 and transfer roller 3 and at the same time contracts thespring 16. The

spring 16 causes the roller 12 to be resiliently urged against the screw15 so that the roller 12 in effect is stabilized with relation to thetransfer roller 3. One end of the shaft 23, supporting the transferroller 3, is pivotally attached to one. end of the shaft 13, supportingthe metering roller 12, by means of an arm 22 secured at one end tobracket 14. The other endof arm 22 is pivotally secured about one end ofthe shaft 23. This arrangement permits the end of the roller 12 to bearcuately rotated about the transfer roller 3 to thereby cause. theresilient surface of the roller 12 to be spiralled about the surface ofthe transfer roller 3 to thereby distribute pressure between thecontacting surfaces of the rollers 12 and 3 to thereby provide foruniform or nonuniform pressure as desired between the ends of therollers 12 and 3, as will be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 8. The ends of the axle 13 of roller 12 are, as mentioned above,mounted in self-aligning bearings 5a and 5b. By self-aligning bearingsis meant a bearing mounted so that the support therefor will rotate andalign the axis thereof with the axis of the shaft which it supports.Such bearings are of conventional construction.

As liquid 2 is picked up from the container 1 on the surface of theroller 12 it is carried on the surface of roller 12 to the nip betweenthe rollers 12 and 3. Such liquid forms as an abundant supply on oneside of the nip but is compressed between the contacting pressuresurfaces between rollers 12 and 3 and is metered in a uniform, evenlydistributed film of liquid onto the surface of transfer roller 3. Suchmetered uniform film is carried on the surface of the transfer roller 3to the contacting surfaces between the transfer roller 3 and the web 11and is thus transferred from the transfer roller 3 to the web 11.

As hereinbefore explained the 'speed of rotation of the transfer roller3 may be regulated by the rheostat 9 to thereby transfer the requiredamount of liquid to the surface of the moving web 11 in the mannerhereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1.

By adjustment of the screw 15 the thickness of the metered film of fluidcarried on the surface of the transfer roller 3 to the web 11 may beregulated as required by the particular job.

The speed of rotation of the roller 12 may be regulated by theadjustment of the rheostat 18a in order to pass the required amount ofliquid from the reservoir 1 to the nip between the rollers 12 and 3. Theamount of liquid picked up by roller 12 and presented to the roller nipshould always be more than that passed between rollers 12 and 3, and anyexcess will fall back into pan 1. Normally the speed of rotation of theroller 12 will be constant after setting, and the application of liquidto the web 11 will be controlled bythe adjustment of the speed ofrotation of the transfer roller 3.

Thereby it will be seen that the amount of liquid applied to the web 11may be accurately and exactly controlled by .the adjustment of the speedof rotation of both the rollers 12 and 3 and such control may bemaintained by adjustment of the speed of rotation of the transfer roller3 with referenceto the moving web 11. Normally the transfer roller 3will berun at a different surface speed from the web 11 and will be inslipping relationship thereto, with the film of liquidproviding anantifriction lubricant therebetween as hereinbefore explained.

It will be noted in FIG. 3 that both rollers 3 and :12 are longer thanthe web 11 and roller 12 extends beyond the ends ofthe transfer roller3. Such arrangement has a definitefunction in that it has been foundthat liquid has a tendency tocollect at the ends of the roller 12. Byextending the ends ofthe roller 12 beyond the ends of the transferroller 3 and. the ends of the roller 3 beyond the web. ll, the excessliquid accumulated at the ends of the roller 12 will fall back into thereservoir 1 and will not be transferred on the surface of the transferroller 3 to the edges ofthe web-11 in excess quantities.

In the form shown in FIG. 4, a backup roller 24 is added to thecombination shown in FIG. 2. The backup'roller 2.4 is rotated in thesame direction as web 11, at web speed, andhas a resilient surface, suchas rubber or plastic, thereon and is arranged to rotate in adjustedpressure relationship against the web 11 as the web moves between thenip between the rollers 3 and 24.

The pressure relationship between the web 11 and transfer roller 3therebehind as related to the backup roller 24 may be adjusted by ascrew 28 threadedly engaged through the end of the bracket 26. The screw28 bears against a block 25a attached to the axle 25 of the roller 24.The block 25a is slidably disposed in a slot 26a in the bracket 26 andthe movement thereof is limited by an adjustable screw 27 engagedbetween the end of the bracket 26 and the block 25a so that the roller24 may be adjusted in pressure relationship to the web 11. The backuproller 24 is applied to the web 11 primarily to cause the liquid topenetrate and be more quickly absorbed by the web 11 as it passesthrough the pressure nip between the rollers 3 and 24. As will be seenin broken lines the roller 24 is preferably arranged to be shifted outof contact with the web 11 if desired.

As shown in broken lines in FIG. 4 the web indicated as 29 could bearranged to wrap the backup roller in lieu of the transfer roller ifdesired.

The rollers 12 and 3 bear the same relationship and function the same asdescribed in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, thetransfer roller 3 being arranged to be rotated at variable speed toregulate the amount of liquid applied to the web 11 or 29.

As shown in FIG. 5 the ends of the rollers 12 and 3 extend beyond theends of the web 11 and roller 12 extends beyond the ends of roller 3 toprevent excess fluid from being transferred to the ends of the transferroller 3 and from thereto to the edges of the web 11, as hereinbeforeexplained with reference to FIG. 3. It is further shown that backuproller 24 extends beyond the web 11 to apply pressure to maximum webwidth.

pressure relationship with the surface of the transfer roller 3 by guiderollers 30 and 31. Otherwise the relationship and function of therollers 12 and 3 are the same as hereinbefore described with theexception that, as shown in broken lines, the transfer roller 3 isarranged to be shifted out of contact with the web 32 if desired.

It will further be seen that in the forms of FIGS. 26 one end of theroller 12 is pivotally attached by arm 22 to the end shaft 23 of thetransfer roller 3 so that the end of the roller 12 may be arcuatelymoved about the axis of the transfer roller 3 to spiral the resilientsurface of the roller 12 about the transfer roller 3 to provide uniformor nonuniform pressure as desired between the surfaces of the rollers 12and 3 as will be hereinafter explained. The axle 13 of roller 12 passesthrough an elongated passage 22a in arm 22 to accommodate relativemovement therebetween when roller 12 is moved for adjustment in pressurerelationship to roller 3.

As in the previous embodiments hereinbefore described the speed of thetransfer roller 3 may be regulated as it rotates in contact with themoving surface of the web 32 in order to regulate the amount of liquidapplied to the web 32. The surface speed of the transfer roller 3 may bethe same or different from the speed or movement of the web 32, but ifdifferent, the unused liquid on the surface of the transfer roller 3provides a lubricant to prevent frictional damage to the web 32 as itmoves in slipping contact with the surface of the transfer roller 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 the hard surfaced supply roller 33which may be of the same type as roller 3, hereinbefore described,rotates in the liquid 2 in the reservoir 1 and rotates in surfacecontact with a resilient surfaced variable speed transfer roller 34which is the same type as roller 12 hereinbefore described.

The hard surfacedroller 33 in this form is the metering roller and maybe adjusted in surface pressure relationship with the transfer roller 34by means of a screw 43 which threadedly passes through the end ofabracket 42 and engages a block 41a which holds self-aligning bearingssuch as 5a and 35 In the form shown in FIG. 6, the web 32 is maintainedin 5b supporting the axle 41 of the roller 33. Bracket 42 at one end ofroller 33 is affixed to the machine frame as was described with relationto bracket 14 and at the other end of roller 33 is movable with thesuspension arm 45. The block 41 may be slidably moved in the slot 420 bythreading the screw 43 inwardly to thereby increase the pressurerelationship between the metering roller 33 and the surface of thetransfer roller 34. The block 41a is moved inwardly against the spring44 so that the roller 33 is stabilized with relationship to the roller34. The axle 41 passes through an elongated passage in the suspensionarm 45 to permit relative movement therebetween.

The transfer roller 34 is rotated by a motor 35 which drives samethrough a belt 38 extending about the pulleys 46 and 35a. Power issupplied to the motor 35 through the power leads 36, and the speed ofmotor 35 may be controlled by the variable rheostat 37.

Roller 33 is driven by belt 39 through pulley 40 and may also be drivenby a variable speed motor.

An intermediate applicator roller 47 is driven by frictional contactbetween the web 48 and roller 47 and the amount of liquid transferred tothe surface thereof and ultimately to web 48 is regulated by theregulation of speed of rotation of the transfer roller 34. The surfacepressure relationship between rollers 47 and 34 may be adjusted asdesired by a mounting of the end axles of one of the rollers by anadjustment bracket such as bracket 14 secured to a fixed frame member asshown in FIGS. 2 and 8.

The thickness and uniformity of the film of liquid passed from the nipbetween the rollers 33 and 34 is regulated by the pressure adjustmentbetween the surfaces of said rollers as hereinbefore described. Themetering roller 33 may be skewed with relationship to the surface of thetransfer roller 34 by arcuately rotating an end of the pan roller 33with reference to the axis of the transfer roller 34 by. the link 45which is pivotally attached to the axles of the rollers 33 and 34.

A resilient backup roller 24, previously described may also be providedin the assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows the relative lengths of the rollers in FIG. 7. It will benoted that the rollers are progressively longer from the topmost downfor the reasons hereinbefore described and that the ends of applicatorroller 47 and backup roller 24 extend beyond the edges of the web 48.

The skewing function is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. By skewing it ismeant that the surface pressure between the transfer roller 3 and themetering roller 12 is adjusted lengthwise.

It has been found that when two rollers of considerable length areplaced in surface pressure relationship the rollers have a tendency todeflect or bow so that the pressure is greater at the ends than in themiddle thereby allowing excess fluid to pass between the rollers towardthe middle. This condition is aggravated by the fact that paper isusually drier at the edges and wetter toward the center therebynecessitating that a means be employed when controlling moisture tocorrect for roll deflection as well as uneven moisture profile in theoncoming web.

In the combination of the hard surfaced roller3 and the resilientsurfaced roller 12, as employed herein, it has been found that suchuneven pressure and/or web profile can be adjusted and exactly regulatedby pivotally attaching the axle of one end of one of the rollers to theadjacent axle of the end of the other roller so that the end of theresilient surfaced roller can be arcuately moved about the axis of thehard surfaced roller or vice versa to thereby spiral the resilientsurface of the metering roller about the hard surface of the transferroller to thereby adjust and distribute the surface pressurerelationship lengthwise of the rollers. In such arrangement it isnecessary that the roller 12 have a rigid, preferably metallic, core 49and that the transfer roller 3 have a rigid core 3b so that in arcuatelymoving the end of the roller 12 about the adjacent end of the transferroller 3 the cores of the rollers are not excessively bent or deflectedbut on the other hand only the resilient surface 50 on the meteringroller 12 is spirally twisted about the hard surface of the transferroller 3. Thereby the pressure toward the center of the contactingsurfaces of the rollers becomes greater, as indicated at 51 withrelationship to the pressure at the ends thereof. This manner of surfaceadjustment permits the pressure to be adjusted intermediate roller endswithout disturbing the pressure at the ends.

Thereby it will be seen by broken lines at 52, and unbroken lineindicated at 53 that the surface pressure between the resilient surface50 of the metering roller 12 and the hard surface of the transfer roller3 can be adjusted throughout the length of the contacting surfaces. Thusa desired distributed thickness of liquid film is passed between the nipof the metering roller 12 and the transfer roller 3.

As shown in FIG. 9 one end of the roller 12 is arcuately moved withreference to the adjacent end of the transfer roller 3, and oppositeends thereof assume different positions after the skewing operation ashereinbefore described.

As shown in FIG. 7 the hard surfaced metering roller 33 may be skewedwith reference to resilient surfaced transfer roller 34 and accomplishthe same purpose.

It will be understood that the position of rollers 3 and 12 and 33 and34 could be interchanged in which case the applicator roller 47 would bea resilient roller and backup roller 24 would be a hard roller. Themetering roller in FIGS. 2-6 would thus be hard and the transfer rollerwould be resilient and the reverse of this would be true in FIG. 7.

It will be further understood that even though the rollers are referredto as being hard and resilient," these are only relative terms and bothcould actually be made of the same material such as plastic or rubberwhich would be resilient material but the relative hardness might bedifferent. The surfaces could still be adjusted in indented relationshipto provide for the metering ofa regulated film ofliquid therebetween.

It will be seen that I have provided means for transferring liquid to amoving web in regulated quantity and uniform or nonuniform lateraldistribution as desired wherein the amount of moisture or other liquidmay be regulated by varying the speed of rotation of a transfer rollerin contact with a moving web or intermediate web applicator roller,wherein the amount of liquid may be passed to the transfer roller inregulated thickness and with desired distribution across this roller bymetering same between a resilient surfaced roller and a hard surfacedroller and wherein an uneven distribution to the web caused either bylateral deflection of the metering roller and transfer roller in contactor by an uneven moisture profile in the web may be compensated for byspirally twisting the surface of one roller about the surface of anotherroller, which is simple and efficient in its operation and provides forversatility in adjustment and use for applying different types of liquidto a moving web in regulated quantities.

Having described my invention I claim: 7

1. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web of liquid receptivematerial, a liquid carrying transfer roller having a continuous,uninterrupted, smoothly finished, liquid receptive hydrophilic surfacerotating in pressure contact with the web; means to continuously supplyliquid to the surface of the liquid carrying transfer roller before itrotates into contact with the web; metering means in pressure engagingrelation with the surface of the transfer roller to limit the thicknessand smooth out the film of liquid on the surface before it comes intocontact with the web; means to vary the pressure between the meteringmeans and the transfer roller; and means to vary the relative surfacespeeds of the transfer roller and the web to cause slippage therebetweento evenly distribute and regulate the quantity ofliquid applied by thetransfer roller to the web.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means for limitingthe film of liquid is a doctor blade in pressure engagement with thesurface of the transfer roller.

3. The combination called for in claim 1, wherein the means for limitingthe film of liquid is a metering roller having a smooth surface inpressure relationship with the surface of the transfer roller before thesurface of the transfer roller moves into contact with the web.

4. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web of material having aliquid receptive surface thereon, a liquid carrying transfer rollerhaving a smooth liquid receptive surface thereon running in pressurecontact with one surface of the web, said surface on the transfer rollerhaving an affinity for the liquid carried thereby to cause the liquid tospread in a continuous layer of substantially uniform thickness on thesurface of the transfer roller; a metering roller having a smooth liquidreceptive surface; at least one of said metering or transfer rollerhaving a resilient surface, whereby they. are in indented surfacepressure relationship; means to vary the relative surface speeds of thetransfer roller and the web; and means to supply liquid at thecontacting surfaces of the metering roller and transfer roller.

5. The combination called for in claim 4 with the addition of means tovary the relative surface speeds of the transfer roller and meteringroller.

6. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the means to vary therelative surface speeds of the transfer roller and metering roller is avariable speed drive member positively controlling the metering rollerspeed.

7. The combination called for in claim 4 wherein the means to vary therelative surface speeds of the transfer roller and the web is a variablespeed drive member positively controlling the transfer roller speed.

8. The combination called for in claim 7 with the addition of means tomove an end of one of the rollers circumferentially about an end of theother roller to spirally twist the resilient surface of the resilientsurfaced roller about the surface of the other roller to thereby adjustand control contact pressure longitudinally of the contacting surfacesof the rollers without varying the pressure between the ends of therespective rollers.

9. The combination called for in claim 4 with the addition of a backuproller rolling in pressure contact with the surface of the web oppositethe surface contact between the web and the transfer roller.

10. The combination called for in claim 9 wherein the ends of thetransfer roller, backup roller and metering roller extend beyond theedges of the web.

11. The combination called for in claim 4 with the addition of guiderollers running in contact with the web to hold the web against thetransfer roller.

12. The combination called for in claim 11 wherein the guide rollerscontrol the arc of contact of the web to the transfer roller.

13. The combination called for in claim 4 wherein the ends of themetering roller extend beyond the ends of the transfer roller.

14. The combination called for in claim 13 wherein the ends of thetransfer roller and metering roller extend beyond the ends of the web.

15. The combination called for in claim 4 wherein the means to supplyliquid at the contacting surfaces of the metering roller and transferroller comprises a liquid reservoir with one of the metering or transferrollers having one side immersed in liquid in said reservoir and theother side in indented surface contact with the surface of the otherroller.

16. The combination called for in claim 15 with the addition of means tomove an end of one of the rollers about the axis of the other roller tospirally twist the resilient surface of the resilient surfaced rollerabout the surface of the other roller to thereby adjust and controlcontact pressure longitudinally of the contacting surfaces of therollers.

17. In a device for forcing moisture under pressure into a moving web ofabsorptive material, a liquid carrying fluid transfer roller having acontinuous, uninterrupted, hard, smoothly finished hydrophilic surfacethereon rotating in pressure contact with the web; a metering rollerhaving a smooth resilient surface thereon in rotative contact with thesurface of the transfer roller and adapted to be indented in meteringrelationship with the transfer roller to control the thickness of a filmof fluidcarried by the transfer roller to the web; variable speed drivemeans drivingly connected to the surface speeds of the transfer rollerand the web; means to supply fluid at the contacting surfaces of themetering roller and the transfer roller; and means to adjust the surfacepressure relationship between the transfer roller and the meteringroller.

18. The combination called for in claim 17 with the addition of means inpressure engagement with the web to vary the surface pressurerelationship between the transfer roller and the web.

19. The combination called for in claim 18 wherein the means to vary thesurface pressure relationship between the transfer roller and the webcomprises, a backup roller having a smooth surface thereon in pressurecontact with the surface of the web opposite the surface of contactbetween the web and the transfer roller; and means to vary the surfacepressure relationship between the backup roller and the web.

20. The combination called for in claim 17 with the addition of an arm;means to rotatably secure the metering roller to the arm; means torotate the arm about the axis of the transfer roller to vary the surfacepressure relationship between the metering roller and the transferroller along the length thereof.

21. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web, a metering rollerhaving a continuous, uninterrupted, hard, smoothly finished hydrophilicsurface thereon; means to apply liquid to the surface of the meteringroller; an applicator roller having a smoothly finished surface inpressure contact with the web; roller means in pressure indented rollingcontact with the metering roller and the applicator roller fortransferring a metered film of fluid to the applicator roller; and meansto vary the surface speed of at least one of the rollers relative to thesurface speed of the web.

22. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web, an applicatorroller having a smooth surface in rotative contact with the web; atransfer roller having a smooth surface in indented surface pressurerelation with the applicator roller, a metering roller having a smoothsurface in indented surface pressure relation with the transfer roller,at least one of said rollers having a smooth liquid receptive surfaceadapted to cause liquid to tend to spread uniformly thereover; means tosupply liquid at the contacting surfaces of the metering and transferroller; means to vary the surface speed relation of at least one of therollers relative to the surface speed of the web; means to vary thesurface pressure relationship between the metering roller and thetransfer roller; and means to vary the surface pressure relationshipbetween the transfer roller and the applicator roller.

23. In a device for applying liquid to liquid receptive material, afirst roller having a continuous, uninterrupted, hard, polished,hydrophilic surface thereon; a second roller having a smooth resilient,surface thereon in rotative contact with the surface of the firstroller, and adapted to be indented in metering relationship with thefirst roller; means to supply liquid at the contacting surfaces of thefirst and second rollers; means to vary the surface speed relationshipof the first and second rollers to control the thickness of a film ofliquid metered therebetween; means in indented surface contact with oneof the rollers to rotate the metered film into contact with the liquidreceptive material.

24. In a device for applying moisture to a moving web of liquidreceptive material, a transfer roller having a smooth metallic surface;a coating on the surface to prevent oxidation of the surface and torender same permanently hydrophilic; means to apply fluid to the surfaceof the transfer roller; means in pressure relation with the transferroller to form a film of fluid of metered thickness; means to rotate thefilm into contact with the web; and means to vary pressure between theweb and the fllm to control the rate at which moisture is accepted bythe web.

25. The combination called for in claim 24 wherein the means to rotatethe film into contact with the web comprises drive meansto rotate thesaidtransfer roller.

26. The combination called for in claim 24 wherein the means to rotatethe film into contact with the web comprises at least one roller havinga surface which is less resilient than the surface of said transferroller.

27. In a device for applying liquid toa moving web of liquid receptivematerial, a liquid carrying transfer roller having a continuous,uninterrupted, smoothly finished, liquid receptive hydrophilic surfacerotating in pressure contact with the web; means to continuously supplyliquid to the surface of the liquid carrying transfer roller before itrotates into contact with the web; means to vary the relative surfacespeeds of the transfer roller and the web to cause slippage therebetweento evenly distribute and regulate the quantity ofliquid applied by thetransfer roller to the web; and a backup roller having a smooth surfacerolling in pressure contact with the surface of the web opposite thesurface contact between the web and the transfer roller.

28. The combination called for in claim 27 wherein the contactingsurfaces of the transfer roller and the web move in opposite directions.

29. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web of material having aliquid receptive surface thereon, a liquid carrying transfer rollerhaving a smooth hydrophilic liquid receptive surface running in pressurecontact with one surface of the web; a metering roller having a smoothliquid receptive surface in indented pressure contact with the surfaceof the transfer roller, the metering roller and the transfer rollerbeing arranged to meter a film of aqueous liquid; at least one of saidmetering or transfer roller having a smooth resilient surface; means tovary the surface pressure relationship between the metering roller andthe transfer roller; means to vary the relative surface speeds of thetransfer roller and the web; and means to supply liquid at thecontacting surfaces of the metering roller and transfer roller.

30. In a device for metering and applying liquids having waterlikeviscosities to a web of liquid receptive material; a transfer roller inpressure contact with the web of material; a metering roller in pressureindented relation with the transfer roller, at least one of said rollershaving a resilient surface; means to supply liquid at the contactingsurfaces of the metering and transfer rollers; a skew arm having an endof the metering roller and an end of the transfer roller rotatablymounted therein; means to move an end of at least one of the rollerslongitudinally of the skew arm to establish and maintain a predeterminedpressure between contacting surfaces adjacent ends of the transfer andmetering rollers, said skew arm being rotatable about an axis of one ofsaid rollers to adjust and control pressure intermediate the ends of thecontacting surfaces of said rollers with reference to a preestablishedpressure between contacting surfaces at the ends thereof, said resilientsurface being spirally twisted about the surface of the other roller;and means to rotate the rollers.

31. The combination called for in claim 30 with the addition of means tovary the surface speed of the transfer roller relative to the surfacespeed of the web of liquid receptive material.

32. The combination called for in claim 30 wherein the contactingsurfaces of the transfer roller and the web of liquid receptive materialmove in opposite directions.

33. The combination called for in claim 30 wherein contacting surfacesof the metering roller and transfer roller move in opposite directions.

34. The combination called for in claim 30 with the addition of means tocontrol pressure between the transfer roller and the web of liquidreceptive material.

35. The combination called for in claim 30 wherein the transfer rollerhas a surface with hydrophilic properties.

36. The combination called for in claim 30 wherein the metering rollerhas a surface adapted to cause liquid to spread into a substantiallysmooth film thereover.

37. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web of liquid receptivematerial, a transfer roller in pressure contact with the web, saidtransfer roller having a smooth resilient surface;

a metering roller in pressure indented relation with the transferroller, said metering roller having a smooth surface adapted to causeliquid to tend to spread in a substantially uniform layer thereon; andmeans to vary the relative surface speeds of the transfer roller and theweb.

38. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web of liquid receptivematerial, a transfer roller in pressure contact with the web, saidtransfer roller having a smooth resilient surface; a metering roller inpressure indented relation with the transfer roller, said meteringroller having a smooth uninterrupted surface with hydrophilic propertiesto cause liquid to tend to spread in a substantially uniform layerthereon; and means to vary the relative surface speeds of the transferroller and the metering roller.

39. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web of material having aliquid receptive surface thereon, a liquid carrying transfer rollerhaving a smooth liquid receptive surface thereon running in pressurecontact with one surface of the web, said surface on the transfer rollerbeing adapted to cause liquid to cling thereto; a metering roller havinga smooth liquid receptive surface; at least one of said metering ortransfer roller having a resilient surface, said rollers being inindented surface pressure relationship; means to drive the transferroller at a velocity different from that of the web; and means to supplyliquid at the contacting surfaces of the metering roller and transferroller.

40. In a device for applying liquid to liquid receptive material, afirst roller having a continuous, uninterrupted, hard, polished,hydrophilic surface thereon; a second roller having a smooth resilient,surface thereon in rotative contact with the surface ofthe first roller,and adapted to be indented in metering relationship with the firstroller; means to supply liquid at the contacting surfaces of the firstand second rollers; means to vary the surface pressure relationship ofthe first and second rollers to control the thickness of a film ofliquid metered therebetween; and means in indented surface contact withat least one of the rollers to rotate the metered film into contact withthe liquid receptive material.

41. in a device for applying liquid to a moving web of material having aliquid receptive surface thereon, a liquid carrying transfer rollerhaving a uniform smooth continuous surface running in pressure contactwith one surface of the web, said surface on the roller being passive tochemical reaction with the liquid carried thereon; a metering rollerhaving a smooth liquid receptive surface running in pressure contactwith the surface of the transfer roller, the metering roller and thetransfer roller being arranged to meter a film of aqueous liquid; atleast one of said metering or transfer roller having a smooth resilientsurface, whereby they are in indented surface pressure relationship;means to vary the surface speed relationship between the metering rollerand the transfer roller;

means to vary the relative surface speeds of the transfer roller and theweb; and means to supply liquid at the contacting surfaces of themetering roller and transfer roller.

42. In a device for metering and applying liquid having waterlikeviscosities to a moving web of liquid receptive material, a liquidcarrying transfer roller having a smooth continuous liquid receptivesurface positioned in pressure relation with the web; a metering rollerhaving a smooth continuous, liquid receptive surface, at least one ofsaid metering or transfer roller having a resilient surface; means forsupporting said metering and transfer rollers in pressure indentedrelation for forming a continuous uninterrupted film of meteredthickness on the surface of the transfer roller; means to rotate thetransfer roller at a speed different from that of the web of liquidreceptive material; means to rotate the metering roller such thatcontacting surfaces between the metering roller and transfer roller movein the same direction; and means to supply liquid at contacting surfacesof the metering and transfer rollers.

43. in a device for metering and applying liquid having waterlikeviscosities to a web of liquid receptive material, an

applicator roller having a smooth surface in pressure relation with atleast one surface of the web; a transfer roller having a smooth surface;a metering roller having a smooth surface, at least one of said rollershaving a resilient surface; means supporting said applicator roller andtransfer roller in pressure indented relation and supporting themetering roller in pressure indented relation with the transfer roller,said rollers being arranged to meter a continuous, uninterrupted film ofliquid; means to rotate the rollers; means to supply liquid at thecontacting surfaces of the metering and transfer rollers; and means tovary the surface speed of the transfer roller relative to that oftheapplicator roller.

44. A method of controlling the addition of moisture to liquidabsorptive material comprising the steps of: metering a thin film offluid having low viscosity between a transfer roller and a meteringroller, said rollers having smooth surfaces in pressure indentedrelationship, the surface of at least one of said rollers havinghydrophilic properties; rotating the metered film of fluid in contactwith the absorptive member; and controlling the pressure between themetered film and the absorptive member to control the rate at whichfluid is accepted by the absorptive member.

45. The method called for in claim 44 with the addition of the step ofregulating the time which the absorbent member is in contact with themetered film of fluid to control the quantity of fluid absorbed.

46. The method called for in claim 44 with the addition of the step ofcontrolling the pressure between the metering roller and the transferroller along the length of said rollers.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means for limitingthe film of liquid is a doctor blade in pressure engagement with thesurface of the transfer roller.
 3. The combination called for in claim1, wherein the means for limiting the film of liquid is a meteringroller having a smooth surface in pressure relationship with the surfaceof the transfer roller before the surface of the transfer roller movesinto contact with the web.
 4. In a device for applYing liquid to amoving web of material having a liquid receptive surface thereon, aliquid carrying transfer roller having a smooth liquid receptive surfacethereon running in pressure contact with one surface of the web, saidsurface on the transfer roller having an affinity for the liquid carriedthereby to cause the liquid to spread in a continuous layer ofsubstantially uniform thickness on the surface of the transfer roller; ametering roller having a smooth liquid receptive surface; at least oneof said metering or transfer roller having a resilient surface, wherebythey are in indented surface pressure relationship; means to vary therelative surface speeds of the transfer roller and the web; and means tosupply liquid at the contacting surfaces of the metering roller andtransfer roller.
 5. The combination called for in claim 4 with theaddition of means to vary the relative surface speeds of the transferroller and metering roller.
 6. The combination called for in claim 5wherein the means to vary the relative surface speeds of the transferroller and metering roller is a variable speed drive member positivelycontrolling the metering roller speed.
 7. The combination called for inclaim 4 wherein the means to vary the relative surface speeds of thetransfer roller and the web is a variable speed drive member positivelycontrolling the transfer roller speed.
 8. The combination called for inclaim 7 with the addition of means to move an end of one of the rollerscircumferentially about an end of the other roller to spirally twist theresilient surface of the resilient surfaced roller about the surface ofthe other roller to thereby adjust and control contact pressurelongitudinally of the contacting surfaces of the rollers without varyingthe pressure between the ends of the respective rollers.
 9. Thecombination called for in claim 4 with the addition of a backup rollerrolling in pressure contact with the surface of the web opposite thesurface contact between the web and the transfer roller.
 10. Thecombination called for in claim 9 wherein the ends of the transferroller, backup roller and metering roller extend beyond the edges of theweb.
 11. The combination called for in claim 4 with the addition ofguide rollers running in contact with the web to hold the web againstthe transfer roller.
 12. The combination called for in claim 11 whereinthe guide rollers control the arc of contact of the web to the transferroller.
 13. The combination called for in claim 4 wherein the ends ofthe metering roller extend beyond the ends of the transfer roller. 14.The combination called for in claim 13 wherein the ends of the transferroller and metering roller extend beyond the ends of the web.
 15. Thecombination called for in claim 4 wherein the means to supply liquid atthe contacting surfaces of the metering roller and transfer rollercomprises a liquid reservoir with one of the metering or transferrollers having one side immersed in liquid in said reservoir and theother side in indented surface contact with the surface of the otherroller.
 16. The combination called for in claim 15 with the addition ofmeans to move an end of one of the rollers about the axis of the otherroller to spirally twist the resilient surface of the resilient surfacedroller about the surface of the other roller to thereby adjust andcontrol contact pressure longitudinally of the contacting surfaces ofthe rollers.
 17. In a device for forcing moisture under pressure into amoving web of absorptive material, a liquid carrying fluid transferroller having a continuous, uninterrupted, hard, smoothly finishedhydrophilic surface thereon rotating in pressure contact with the web; ametering roller having a smooth resilient surface thereon in rotativecontact with the surface of the transfer roller and adapted to beindented in metering relationship with the transfer roller to controlthe thickness of a film of fluid carried by the transfer roller to theweb; variable speed drive means drivingly connected to the surfacespeeds of the transfer roller and the web; means to supply fluid at thecontacting surfaces of the metering roller and the transfer roller; andmeans to adjust the surface pressure relationship between the transferroller and the metering roller.
 18. The combination called for in claim17 with the addition of means in pressure engagement with the web tovary the surface pressure relationship between the transfer roller andthe web.
 19. The combination called for in claim 18 wherein the means tovary the surface pressure relationship between the transfer roller andthe web comprises, a backup roller having a smooth surface thereon inpressure contact with the surface of the web opposite the surface ofcontact between the web and the transfer roller; and means to vary thesurface pressure relationship between the backup roller and the web. 20.The combination called for in claim 17 with the addition of an arm;means to rotatably secure the metering roller to the arm; means torotate the arm about the axis of the transfer roller to vary the surfacepressure relationship between the metering roller and the transferroller along the length thereof.
 21. In a device for applying liquid toa moving web, a metering roller having a continuous, uninterrupted,hard, smoothly finished hydrophilic surface thereon; means to applyliquid to the surface of the metering roller; an applicator rollerhaving a smoothly finished surface in pressure contact with the web;roller means in pressure indented rolling contact with the meteringroller and the applicator roller for transferring a metered film offluid to the applicator roller; and means to vary the surface speed ofat least one of the rollers relative to the surface speed of the web.22. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web, an applicatorroller having a smooth surface in rotative contact with the web; atransfer roller having a smooth surface in indented surface pressurerelation with the applicator roller, a metering roller having a smoothsurface in indented surface pressure relation with the transfer roller,at least one of said rollers having a smooth liquid receptive surfaceadapted to cause liquid to tend to spread uniformly thereover; means tosupply liquid at the contacting surfaces of the metering and transferroller; means to vary the surface speed relation of at least one of therollers relative to the surface speed of the web; means to vary thesurface pressure relationship between the metering roller and thetransfer roller; and means to vary the surface pressure relationshipbetween the transfer roller and the applicator roller.
 23. In a devicefor applying liquid to liquid receptive material, a first roller havinga continuous, uninterrupted, hard, polished, hydrophilic surfacethereon; a second roller having a smooth resilient, surface thereon inrotative contact with the surface of the first roller, and adapted to beindented in metering relationship with the first roller; means to supplyliquid at the contacting surfaces of the first and second rollers; meansto vary the surface speed relationship of the first and second rollersto control the thickness of a film of liquid metered therebetween; meansin indented surface contact with one of the rollers to rotate themetered film into contact with the liquid receptive material.
 24. In adevice for applying moisture to a moving web of liquid receptivematerial, a transfer roller having a smooth metallic surface; a coatingon the surface to prevent oxidation of the surface and to render samepermanently hydrophilic; means to apply fluid to the surface of thetransfer roller; means in pressure relation with the transfer roller toform a film of fluid of metered thickness; means to rotate the film intocontact with the web; and means to vary pressure between the web and thefilm to control the rate at which moisture is accepted by the web. 25.The combinAtion called for in claim 24 wherein the means to rotate thefilm into contact with the web comprises drive means to rotate the saidtransfer roller.
 26. The combination called for in claim 24 wherein themeans to rotate the film into contact with the web comprises at leastone roller having a surface which is less resilient than the surface ofsaid transfer roller.
 27. In a device for applying liquid to a movingweb of liquid receptive material, a liquid carrying transfer rollerhaving a continuous, uninterrupted, smoothly finished, liquid receptivehydrophilic surface rotating in pressure contact with the web; means tocontinuously supply liquid to the surface of the liquid carryingtransfer roller before it rotates into contact with the web; means tovary the relative surface speeds of the transfer roller and the web tocause slippage therebetween to evenly distribute and regulate thequantity of liquid applied by the transfer roller to the web; and abackup roller having a smooth surface rolling in pressure contact withthe surface of the web opposite the surface contact between the web andthe transfer roller.
 28. The combination called for in claim 27 whereinthe contacting surfaces of the transfer roller and the web move inopposite directions.
 29. In a device for applying liquid to a moving webof material having a liquid receptive surface thereon, a liquid carryingtransfer roller having a smooth hydrophilic liquid receptive surfacerunning in pressure contact with one surface of the web; a meteringroller having a smooth liquid receptive surface in indented pressurecontact with the surface of the transfer roller, the metering roller andthe transfer roller being arranged to meter a film of aqueous liquid; atleast one of said metering or transfer roller having a smooth resilientsurface; means to vary the surface pressure relationship between themetering roller and the transfer roller; means to vary the relativesurface speeds of the transfer roller and the web; and means to supplyliquid at the contacting surfaces of the metering roller and transferroller.
 30. In a device for metering and applying liquids havingwaterlike viscosities to a web of liquid receptive material; a transferroller in pressure contact with the web of material; a metering rollerin pressure indented relation with the transfer roller, at least one ofsaid rollers having a resilient surface; means to supply liquid at thecontacting surfaces of the metering and transfer rollers; a skew armhaving an end of the metering roller and an end of the transfer rollerrotatably mounted therein; means to move an end of at least one of therollers longitudinally of the skew arm to establish and maintain apredetermined pressure between contacting surfaces adjacent ends of thetransfer and metering rollers, said skew arm being rotatable about anaxis of one of said rollers to adjust and control pressure intermediatethe ends of the contacting surfaces of said rollers with reference to apreestablished pressure between contacting surfaces at the ends thereof,said resilient surface being spirally twisted about the surface of theother roller; and means to rotate the rollers.
 31. The combinationcalled for in claim 30 with the addition of means to vary the surfacespeed of the transfer roller relative to the surface speed of the web ofliquid receptive material.
 32. The combination called for in claim 30wherein the contacting surfaces of the transfer roller and the web ofliquid receptive material move in opposite directions.
 33. Thecombination called for in claim 30 wherein contacting surfaces of themetering roller and transfer roller move in opposite directions.
 34. Thecombination called for in claim 30 with the addition of means to controlpressure between the transfer roller and the web of liquid receptivematerial.
 35. The combination called for in claim 30 wherein thetransfer roller has a surface with hydrophilic properties.
 36. Thecombination caLled for in claim 30 wherein the metering roller has asurface adapted to cause liquid to spread into a substantially smoothfilm thereover.
 37. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web ofliquid receptive material, a transfer roller in pressure contact withthe web, said transfer roller having a smooth resilient surface; ametering roller in pressure indented relation with the transfer roller,said metering roller having a smooth surface adapted to cause liquid totend to spread in a substantially uniform layer thereon; and means tovary the relative surface speeds of the transfer roller and the web. 38.In a device for applying liquid to a moving web of liquid receptivematerial, a transfer roller in pressure contact with the web, saidtransfer roller having a smooth resilient surface; a metering roller inpressure indented relation with the transfer roller, said meteringroller having a smooth uninterrupted surface with hydrophilic propertiesto cause liquid to tend to spread in a substantially uniform layerthereon; and means to vary the relative surface speeds of the transferroller and the metering roller.
 39. In a device for applying liquid to amoving web of material having a liquid receptive surface thereon, aliquid carrying transfer roller having a smooth liquid receptive surfacethereon running in pressure contact with one surface of the web, saidsurface on the transfer roller being adapted to cause liquid to clingthereto; a metering roller having a smooth liquid receptive surface; atleast one of said metering or transfer roller having a resilientsurface, said rollers being in indented surface pressure relationship;means to drive the transfer roller at a velocity different from that ofthe web; and means to supply liquid at the contacting surfaces of themetering roller and transfer roller.
 40. In a device for applying liquidto liquid receptive material, a first roller having a continuous,uninterrupted, hard, polished, hydrophilic surface thereon; a secondroller having a smooth resilient, surface thereon in rotative contactwith the surface of the first roller, and adapted to be indented inmetering relationship with the first roller; means to supply liquid atthe contacting surfaces of the first and second rollers; means to varythe surface pressure relationship of the first and second rollers tocontrol the thickness of a film of liquid metered therebetween; andmeans in indented surface contact with at least one of the rollers torotate the metered film into contact with the liquid receptive material.41. In a device for applying liquid to a moving web of material having aliquid receptive surface thereon, a liquid carrying transfer rollerhaving a uniform smooth continuous surface running in pressure contactwith one surface of the web, said surface on the roller being passive tochemical reaction with the liquid carried thereon; a metering rollerhaving a smooth liquid receptive surface running in pressure contactwith the surface of the transfer roller, the metering roller and thetransfer roller being arranged to meter a film of aqueous liquid; atleast one of said metering or transfer roller having a smooth resilientsurface, whereby they are in indented surface pressure relationship;means to vary the surface speed relationship between the metering rollerand the transfer roller; means to vary the relative surface speeds ofthe transfer roller and the web; and means to supply liquid at thecontacting surfaces of the metering roller and transfer roller.
 42. In adevice for metering and applying liquid having waterlike viscosities toa moving web of liquid receptive material, a liquid carrying transferroller having a smooth continuous liquid receptive surface positioned inpressure relation with the web; a metering roller having a smoothcontinuous liquid receptive surface, at least one of said metering ortransfer roller having a resilient surface; means for supporting saidmetering and transfer rollers in pressure indentEd relation for forminga continuous uninterrupted film of metered thickness on the surface ofthe transfer roller; means to rotate the transfer roller at a speeddifferent from that of the web of liquid receptive material; means torotate the metering roller such that contacting surfaces between themetering roller and transfer roller move in the same direction; andmeans to supply liquid at contacting surfaces of the metering andtransfer rollers.
 43. In a device for metering and applying liquidhaving waterlike viscosities to a web of liquid receptive material, anapplicator roller having a smooth surface in pressure relation with atleast one surface of the web; a transfer roller having a smooth surface;a metering roller having a smooth surface, at least one of said rollershaving a resilient surface; means supporting said applicator roller andtransfer roller in pressure indented relation and supporting themetering roller in pressure indented relation with the transfer roller,said rollers being arranged to meter a continuous, uninterrupted film ofliquid; means to rotate the rollers; means to supply liquid at thecontacting surfaces of the metering and transfer rollers; and means tovary the surface speed of the transfer roller relative to that of theapplicator roller.
 44. A method of controlling the addition of moistureto liquid absorptive material comprising the steps of: metering a thinfilm of fluid having low viscosity between a transfer roller and ametering roller, said rollers having smooth surfaces in pressureindented relationship, the surface of at least one of said rollershaving hydrophilic properties; rotating the metered film of fluid incontact with the absorptive member; and controlling the pressure betweenthe metered film and the absorptive member to control the rate at whichfluid is accepted by the absorptive member.
 45. The method called for inclaim 44 with the addition of the step of regulating the time which theabsorbent member is in contact with the metered film of fluid to controlthe quantity of fluid absorbed.
 46. The method called for in claim 44with the addition of the step of controlling the pressure between themetering roller and the transfer roller along the length of saidrollers.